Methods of using atomized particles for electromagnetically induced cutting

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetically induced cutting mechanism which can provide accurate cutting operations on both hard and soft materials is disclosed. The electromagnetically induced cutter is capable of providing extremely fine and smooth incisions, irrespective of the cutting surface. Additionally, a user programmable combination of atomized particles allows for user control of various cutting parameters. The various cutting parameters may also be controlled by changing spray nozzles and electromagnetic energy source parameters. Applications for the cutting mechanism include medical, dental, industrial (etching, engraving, cutting and cleaning) and any other environments where an objective is to precisely remove surface materials without inducing thermal damage, uncontrolled cutting parameters, and/or rough surfaces inappropriate for ideal bonding. The cutting mechanism further does not require any films of water or any particularly porous surfaces to obtain very accurate and controllable cutting.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a device for cuttingboth hard and soft materials and, more particularly, to a device forcombining electromagnetic and hydro energies for cutting and removingboth hard and soft tissues.

[0002] Turning to FIG. 1, a prior art optical cutter for dental use isdisclosed. According to this prior art apparatus, a fiber guide tube 5,a water line 7, an air line 9, and an air knife line 11 (which suppliespressurized air) are fed into the hand-held apparatus 13. A cap 15 fitsonto the hand-held apparatus 13 and is secured via threads 17. The fiberguide tube 5 abuts within a cylindrical metal piece 19. Anothercylindrical metal piece 21 is a part of the cap 15.

[0003] When the cap 15 is threaded onto the hand-held device 13, the twocylindrical metal tubes 19 and 21 are moved into very close proximity ofone another. A gap of air, however, remains between these twocylindrical metal tubes 19 and 21. Thus, the laser within the fiberguide tube 5 must jump this air gap before it can travel and exitthrough another fiber guide tube 23. Heat is dissipated as the laserjumps this air gap.

[0004] The pressurized air from the air knife line 11 surrounds andcools the laser as the laser bridges the gap between the two metalcylindrical objects 19 and 21. Thus, a first problem in this prior artapparatus is that the interface between the two metal cylindricalobjects 19 and 21 has a dissipation of heat which must be cooled bypressurized air from the air knife line 11. (Air from the air knife line11 flows out of the two exhausts 25 and 27 after cooling the interfacebetween elements 19 and 21.) This inefficient interface between elements19 and 21 results from the removability of the cap 15, since a perfectinterface between elements 19 and 21 is not achieved.

[0005] The laser energy exits from the fiber guide tube 23 and isapplied to a target surface within the patient's mouth, according to apredetermined surgical plan. Water from the water line 7 and pressurizedair from the air line 9 are forced into the mixing chamber 29. The airand water mixture is very turbulent in the mixing chamber 29, and exitsthis chamber through a mesh screen with small holes 31. The air andwater mixture travels along the outside of the fiber guide tube 23, andthen leaves the tube and contacts the area of surgery. This air andwater spray coming from the tip of the fiber guide tube 23 helps to coolthe target surface being cut and to remove cut materials by the laser.The need for cooling the patient surgical area being cut is anotherproblem with the prior art.

[0006] In addition to prior art systems which utilize laser light from afiber guide tube 23, for example, to cut tissue and use water to coolthis cut tissue, other prior art systems have been proposed. U.S. Pat.No. 5,199,870 to Steiner et al., which issued on Apr. 6, 1993, disclosesan optical cutting system which utilizes the expansion of water todestroy and remove tooth material. This prior art approach requires afilm of liquid having a thickness of between 10 and 200 mm. Anotherprior art system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,856 to Wolbarsht etal., which issued on Dec. 7, 1993. This cutting apparatus is similar tothe Steiner et al. patent, since it relies on the absorption of laserradiation into water to thereby achieve cutting.

[0007] Similarly to the Steiner et al. patent, th Wolbarsht et al.patent requires water to be deposited onto the tooth before laser lightis irradiated thereon. Specifically, the Wolbarsht et al. patentrequires water to be inserted into pores of the material to be cut.Since many materials, such as tooth enamel, are not very porous, andsince a high level of difficulty is associated with inserting water intothe “pores” of many materials, this cutting method is somewhat less thanoptimal. Even the Steiner et al. patent has met with limited success,since the precision and accuracy of the cut is highly dependent upon theprecision and accuracy of the water film on the material to be cut. Inmany cases, a controllable water film cannot be consistently maintainedon the surface to be cut. For example, when the targeted tissue to becut resides on the upper pallet, a controllable water film cannot bemaintained.

[0008] The above-mentioned prior art systems have all sought in vain toobtain “cleanness” of cutting. In several dental applications, forexample, a need to excise small amounts of soft tissues and/or hardtissues with a great degree of precision has existed. These soft tissuesmay include gingiva, frenum, and lesions and, additionally, the hardtissues may include dentin, enamel, bone, and cartilage. The term“cleanness” of cutting refers to extremely fine, smooth incisions whichprovide ideal bonding surfaces for various biomaterials. Suchbiomaterials include cements, glass ionomers and other composites usedin dentistry or other sciences to fill holes in structures such as teethor bone where tooth decay or some other defect has been removed. Evenwhen an extremely fine incision has been achieved, the incision is oftencovered with a rough surface instead of the desired smooth surfacerequired for ideal bonding.

[0009] One specific dental application, for example, which requiressmooth and accurate cutting through both hard and soft tissues isimplantology. According to the dental specialty of implantology, adental implant can be installed in a person's mouth when that person haslost his or her teeth. The conventional implant installation techniqueis to cut through the soft tissue above the bone where the tooth ismissing, and then to drill a hole into the bone. The hole in the bone isthen threaded with a low-speed motorized tap, and a titanium implant isthen screwed into the person's jaw. A synthetic tooth, for example, canbe easily attached to the portion of the implant residing above the gumsurface. One problem associated with the conventional technique occurswhen the clinician drills into the patient's jaw to prepare the site forthe implant. This drilling procedure generates a great deal of heat,corresponding to friction from the drilling instrument. If the bone isheated too much, it will die. Additionally, since the drillinginstrument is not very precise, severe trauma to the jaw occurs afterthe drilling operation. The drilling operation creates large mechanicalinternal stress on the bone structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention discloses an electromagnetically inducedcutting mechanism, which can provide accurate cutting operations on hardand soft tissues, and other materials, as well. The electromagneticallyinduced cutter is capable of providing extremely fine and smoothincisions, irrespective of the cutting surface. Additionally, a userprogrammable combination of atomized particles allows for user controlof various cutting parameters. The various cutting parameters may alsobe controlled by changing spray nozzles and electromagnetic energysource parameters. Applications for the present invention includemedical, dental, industrial (etching, engraving, cutting and cleaning)and any other environments where an objective is to precisely removesurface materials without inducing thermal damage, uncontrolled cuttingparameters, and/or rough surfaces inappropriate for ideal bonding. Thepresent invention further does not require any films of water or anyparticularly porous surfaces to obtain very accurate and controllablecutting.

[0011] Drills, saws and osteotomes are standard mechanical instrumentsused in a variety of dental and medical applications. The limitationsassociated with these instruments include: temperature induced necrosis(bone death), aerosolized solid-particle release, limited access, lackof precision in cutting depth and large mechanical stress created on thetissue structure. The electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter ofthe present invention is uniquely suited for these dental and medicalapplications, such as, for example, implantology. In an implantologyprocedure the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter is capableof accurately and efficiently cutting through both oral soft tissuesoverlaying the bone and also through portions of the jawbone itself. Theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the present inventiondoes not induce thermal damage and does not create high internalstructural stress on the patient's jaw, for example. After the patient'sjaw is prepared with the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter,traditional methods can be employed for threading the hole in thepatient's jaw and inserting the dental implant. Similar techniques canbe used for preparing hard tissue structures for insertion of othertypes of medical implants, such as pins, screws, wires, etc.

[0012] The electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the presentinvention includes an electromagnetic energy source, which focuseselectromagnetic energy into a volume of air adjacent to a targetsurface. The target surface may be a tooth, for example. A user inputdevice specifies whether either a high resolution or a low resolutioncut is needed, and further specifies whether a deep penetration cut or ashallow penetration cut is needed. An atomizer generates a combinationof atomized fluid particles, according to information from the userinput device. The atomizer places the combination of atomized fluidparticles into the volume of air adjacent to the target surface. Theelectromagnetic energy, which is focused into the volume of air adjacentto the target surface, is selected to have a wavelength suitable for thefluid particles. In particular, the wavelength of the electromagneticenergy should be substantially absorbed by the atomized fluid particlesin the volume of air adjacent to the target surface to thereby explodethe atomized fluid particles. Explosion of the atomized fluid particlesimparts mechanical cutting forces onto the target surface.

[0013] The user input device may incorporate only a single dial forcontrolling the cutting efficiency, or may include a number of dials forcontrolling the fluid particle size, fluid particle velocity, spray coneangle, average laser power, laser repetition rate, fiberoptic diameter,etc. According to one feature of the present invention, the atomizergenerates relatively small fluid particles when the user input specifiesa high resolution cut, and generates relatively large fluid particleswhen the user input specifies a low resolution cut. The atomizergenerates a relatively low density distribution of fluid particles whenthe user input specifies a deep penetration cut, and generates arelatively high density distribution of fluid particles when the userinput specifies a shallow penetration cut. A relatively small fluidparticle may have a diameter less than the wavelength of theelectromagnetic energy and, similarly, a relatively large fluid particlemay have a diameter which is greater than the wavelength of theelectromagnetic energy.

[0014] The electromagnetic energy source preferably is an erbium,chromium, yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) solid statelaser, which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in arange of 2.70 to 2.80 microns. According to other embodiments of thepresent invention, the electromagnetic energy source may be an erbium,yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet (Er:YSGG) solid state laser, whichgenerates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in a range of 2.70to 2.80 microns; an erbium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) solidstate laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelengthof 2.94 microns; chromium, thulium, erbium, yttrium, aluminum garnet(CTE:YAG) solid state laser, which generates electromagnetic energyhaving a wavelength of 2.69 microns; erbium, yttrium orthoaluminate(Er:YALO3) solid state laser, which generates electromagnetic energyhaving a wavelength in a range of 2.71 to 2.86 microns; holmium,yttrium, aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) solid state laser, which generateselectromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 2.10 microns; quadrupledneodymium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (quadrupled Nd:YAG) solid statelaser, which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 266nanometers; argon fluoride (ArF) excimer laser, which generateselectromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 193 nanometers; xenonchloride (XeCl) excimer laser, which generates electromagnetic energyhaving a wavelength of 308 nanometers; krypton fluoride (KrF) excimerlaser, which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 248nanometers; and carbon dioxide (CO2), which generates electromagneticenergy having a wavelength in a range of 9.0 to 10.6 microns.

[0015] When the electromagnetic energy source is configured according tothe preferred embodiment, the repetition rate is greater than 1 Hz, thepulse duration range is between 1 picosecond and 1000 microseconds, andthe energy is greater than 1 milliJoule per pulse. According to onepreferred operating mode of the present invention, the electromagneticenergy source has a wavelength of approximately 2.78 microns, arepetition rate of 20 Hz, a pulse duration of 140 microseconds, and anenergy between 1 and 300 milliJoules per pulse. The atomized fluidparticles provide the mechanical cutting forces when they absorb theelectromagnetic energy within the interaction zone. These atomized fluidparticles, however, provide a second function of cleaning and coolingthe fiberoptic guide from which the electromagnetic energy is output.

[0016] The optical cutter of the present invention combats the problemof poor coupling between the two laser fiberoptics of FIG. 1. Theoptical cutter of the present invention provides a focusing optic forefficiently directing the energy from the first fiberoptic guide to thesecond fiberoptic guide, to thereby reduce dissipation of laser energybetween the first fiberoptic guide and the second fiberoptic guide. Thisoptical cutter includes a housing having a lower portion, an upperportion, and an interfacing portion. The first fiberoptic tube issurrounded at its upper portion by a first abutting member, and thesecond fiberoptic tube is surrounded at its proximal end by a secondabutting member. A cap is placed over the second fiberoptic tube and thesecond abutting member. Either fiberoptic tube may be formed of calciumfluoride (CaF), calcium oxide (CaO2), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), zirconiumfluoride (ZrF), sapphire, hollow waveguide, liquid core, TeX glass,quartz silica, germanium sulfide, arsenic sulfide, and germanium oxide(GeO2).

[0017] The electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the presentinvention efficiently and accurately cuts both hard and soft tissue.This hard tissue may include tooth enamel, tooth dentin, tooth cementum,bone, and cartilage, and the soft tissues may include skin, mucosa,gingiva, muscle, heart, liver, kidney, brain, eye, and vessels.

[0018] The invention, together with additional features and advantagesthereof may best be understood by reference to the following descriptiontaken in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019]FIG. 1 is a conventional optical cutter apparatus;

[0020]FIG. 2 is an optical cutter with the focusing optic of the presentinvention;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the electromagneticallyinduced mechanical cutter of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 5 illustrates the present preferred embodiment of theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 6 illustrates a control panel for programming the combinationof atomized fluid particles according to the presently preferredembodiment;

[0025]FIG. 7 is a plot of particle size versus fluid pressure;

[0026]FIG. 8 is a plot of particle velocity versus fluid pressure;

[0027]FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fluid particle, asource of electromagnetic energy, and a target surface according to thepresent invention;

[0028]FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating the “grenade” effectof the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the “explosiveejection” effect of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating the “explosivepropulsion” effect of the present invention;

[0031]FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a combination of FIGS.10-12;

[0032]FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating the “cleanness” of cutobtained by the present invention; and

[0033]FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating the roughness of cutobtained by prior art systems.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034]FIG. 2 shows an optical cutter according to the present invention.The optical cutter 13 comprises many of the conventional elements shownin FIG. 1. A focusing optic 35 is placed between the two metalcylindrical objects 19 and 21. The focusing optic 35 prevents undesireddissipation of laser energy from the fiber guide tube 5. Specifically,energy from the fiber guide tube 5 dissipates slightly before beingfocused by the focusing optic 35. The focusing optic 35 focuses energyfrom the fiber guide tube 5 into the fiber guide tube 23. The efficienttransfer of laser energy from the fiber guide tube 5 to the fiber guidetube 23 vitiates any need for the conventional air knife cooling system11 (FIG. 1), since little laser energy is dissipated. The first fiberguide tube 5 comprises a trunk fiberoptic, which comprises one ofcalcium fluoride (CaF), calcium oxide (CaO2), zirconium oxide (ZrO2),zirconium fluoride (ZrF), sapphire, hollow waveguide, liquid core, TeXglass, quartz silica, germanium sulfide, arsenic sulfide, and germaniumoxide (GeO2).

[0035]FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the electromagneticallyinduced mechanical cutter of the present invention. An electromagneticenergy source 51 is coupled to both a controller 53 and a deliverysystem 55. The delivery system 55 imparts mechanical forces onto thetarget surface 57. As presently embodied, the delivery system 55comprises a fiberoptic guide for routing the laser 51 into aninteraction zone 59, located above the target surface 57. The deliverysystem 55 further comprises an atomizer for delivering user-specifiedcombinations of atomized fluid particles into the interaction zone 59.The controller 53 controls various operating parameters of the laser 51,and further controls specific characteristics of the user-specifiedcombination of atomized fluid particles output from the delivery system55.

[0036]FIG. 4 shows a simple embodiment of the electromagneticallyinduced mechanical cutter of the present invention, in which afiberoptic guide 61, an air tube 63, and a water tube 65 are placedwithin a hand-held housing 67. The water tube 65 is preferably operatedunder a relatively low pressure, and the air tube 63 is preferablyoperated under a relatively high pressure. The laser energy from thefiberoptic guide 61 focuses onto a combination of air and water, fromthe air tube 63 and the water tube 65, at the interaction zone 59.Atomized fluid particles in the air and water mixture absorb energy fromthe laser energy of the fiberoptic tube 61, and explode. The explosiveforces from these atomized fluid particles impart mechanical cuttingforces onto the target 57.

[0037] Turning back to FIG. 1, the prior art optical cutter focuseslaser energy on a target surface at an area A, for example, and theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the present inventionfocuses laser energy into an interaction zone B, for example. The priorart optical cutter uses the laser energy directly to cut tissue, and theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the present inventionuses the laser energy to expand atomized fluid particles to thus impartmechanical cutting forces onto the target surface. The prior art opticcutter must use a large amount of laser energy to cut the area ofinterest, and also must use a large amount of water to both cool thisarea of interest and remove cut tissue.

[0038] In contrast, the electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter ofthe present invention uses a relatively small amount of water and,further, uses only a small amount of laser energy to expand atomizedfluid particles generated from the water. According to theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the present invention,water is not needed to cool the area of surgery, since the explodedatomized fluid particles are cooled by exothermic reactions before theycontact the target surface. Thus, atomized fluid particles of thepresent invention are heated, expanded, and cooled before contacting thetarget surface. The electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of thepresent invention is thus capable of cutting without charring ordiscoloration.

[0039]FIG. 5 illustrates the presently preferred embodiment of theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter. The atomizer forgenerating atomized fluid particles comprises a nozzle 71, which may beinterchanged with other nozzles (not shown) for obtaining variousspatial distributions of the atomized fluid particles, according to thetype of cut desired. A second nozzle 72, shown in phantom lines, mayalso be used. The cutting power of the electromagnetically inducedmechanical cutter is further controlled by the user control 75. In asimple embodiment, the user control 75 controls the air and waterpressure entering into the nozzle 71. The nozzle 71 is thus capable ofgenerating many different user-specified combinations of atomized fluidparticles and aerosolized sprays.

[0040] Intense energy is emitted from the fiberoptic guide 23. Thisintense energy is preferably generated from a coherent source, such as alaser. In the presently preferred embodiment, the laser comprises anerbium, chromium, yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) solidstate laser, which generates light having a wavelength in a range of2.70 to 2.80 microns. As presently preferred, this laser has awavelength of approximately 2.78 microns. Although the fluid emittedfrom the nozzle 71 preferably comprises water, other fluids may be usedand appropriate wavelengths of the electromagnetic energy source may beselected to allow for high absorption by the fluid. Other possible lasersystems include an erbium, yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet (Er:YSGG)solid state laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having awavelength in a range of 2.70 to 2.80 microns; an erbium, yttrium,aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) solid state laser, which generateselectromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 2.94 microns; chromium,thulium, erbium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (CTE:YAG) solid state laser,which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 2.69microns; erbium, yttrium orthoaluminate (Er:YALO3) solid state laser,which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in a range of2.71 to 2.86 microns; holmium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) solidstate laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelengthof 2.10 microns; quadrupled neodymium, yttrium, aluminum garnet(quadrupled Nd:YAG) solid state laser, which generates electromagneticenergy having a wavelength of 266 nanometers; argon fluoride (ArF)excimer laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having awavelength of 193 nanometers; xenon chloride (XeCl) excimer laser, whichgenerates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 308 nanometers;krypton fluoride (KrF) excimer laser, which generates electromagneticenergy having a wavelength of 248 nanometers; and carbon dioxide (CO2),which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in a range of9.0 to 10.6 microns. Water is chosen as the preferred fluid because ofits biocompatibility, abundance, and low cost. The actual fluid used mayvary as long as it is properly matched (meaning it is highly absorbed)to the selected electromagnetic energy source (i.e. laser) wavelength.

[0041] The delivery system 55 for delivering the electromagnetic energyincludes a fiberoptic energy guide or equivalent which attaches to thelaser system and travels to the desired work site. Fiberoptics orwaveguides are typically long, thin and lightweight, and are easilymanipulated. Fiberoptics can be made of calcium fluoride (CaF), calciumoxide (CaO2), zirconium oxide (ZrO2), zirconium fluoride (ZrF),sapphire, hollow waveguide, liquid core, TeX glass, quartz silica,germanium sulfide, arsenic sulfide, germanium oxide (GeO2), and othermaterials. Other delivery systems include devices comprising mirrors,lenses and other optical components where the energy travels through acavity, is directed by various mirrors, and is focused onto the targetedcutting site with specific lenses. The preferred embodiment of lightdelivery for medical applications of the present invention is through afiberoptic conductor, because of its light weight, lower cost, andability to be packaged inside of a handpiece of familiar size and weightto the surgeon, dentist, or clinician. In industrial applications,non-fiberoptic systems may be used.

[0042] The nozzle 71 is employed to create an engineered combination ofsmall particles of the chosen fluid. The nozzle 71 may comprise severaldifferent designs including liquid only, air blast, air assist, swirl,solid cone, etc. When fluid exits the nozzle 71 at a given pressure andrate, it is transformed into particles of user-controllable sizes,velocities, and spatial distributions.

[0043]FIG. 6 illustrates a control panel 77 for allowinguser-programmability of the atomized fluid particles. By changing thepressure and flow rates of the fluid, for example, the user can controlthe atomized fluid particle characteristics. These characteristicsdetermine absorption efficiency of the laser energy, and the subsequentcutting effectiveness of the electromagnetically induced mechanicalcutter. This control panel may comprise, for example, a fluid particlesize control 78, a fluid particle velocity control 79, a cone anglecontrol 80, an average power control 81, a repetition rate 82, and afiber selector 83.

[0044] The cone angle may be controlled, for example, by changing thephysical structure of the nozzle 71. For example, various nozzles 71 maybe interchangeably placed on the electromagnetically induced mechanicalcutter. Alternatively, the physical structure of a single nozzle 71 maybe changed.

[0045]FIG. 7 illustrates a plot 85 of mean fluid particle size versuspressure. According to this figure, when the pressure through the nozzle71 is increased, the mean fluid particle size of the atomized fluidparticles decreases. The plot 87 of FIG. 8 shows that the mean fluidparticle velocity of these atomized fluid particles increases withincreasing pressure.

[0046] According to the present invention, materials are removed from atarget surface by mechanical cutting forces, instead of by conventionalthermal cutting forces. Laser energy is used only to induce mechanicalforces onto the targeted material. Thus, the atomized fluid particlesact as the medium for transforming the electromagnetic energy of thelaser into the mechanical energy required to achieve the mechanicalcutting effect of the present invention. The laser energy itself is notdirectly absorbed by the targeted material. The mechanical interactionof the present invention is safer, faster, and eliminates the negativethermal side-effects typically associated with conventional lasercutting systems.

[0047] The fiberoptic guide 23 (FIG. 5) can be placed into closeproximity of the target surface. This fiberoptic guide 23, however, doesnot actually contact the target surface. Since the atomized fluidparticles from the nozzle 71 are placed into the interaction zone 59,the purpose of the fiberoptic guide 23 is for placing laser energy intothis interaction zone, as well. A novel feature of the present inventionis the formation of the fiberoptic guide 23 of sapphire. Regardless ofthe composition of the fiberoptic guide 23, however, another novelfeature of the present invention is the cleaning effect of the air andwater, from the nozzle 71, on the fiberoptic guide 23.

[0048] Applicants have found that this cleaning effect is optimal whenthe nozzle 71 is pointed somewhat directly at the target surface. Forexample, debris from the mechanical cutting are removed by the sprayfrom the nozzle 71.

[0049] Additionally, applicants have found that this orientation of thenozzle 71, pointed toward the target surface, enhances the cuttingefficiency of the present invention. Each atomized fluid particlecontains a small amount of initial kinetic energy in the direction ofthe target surface. When electromagnetic energy from the fiberopticguide 23 contacts an atomized fluid particle, the spherical exteriorsurface of the fluid particle acts as a focusing lens to focus theenergy into the water particle's interior.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 9, the water particle 101 has an illuminatedside 103, a shaded side 105, and a particle velocity 107. The focusedelectromagnetic energy is absorbed by the water particle 101, causingthe interior of the water particle to heat and explode rapidly. Thisexothermic explosion cools the remaining portions of the exploded waterparticle 101. The surrounding atomized fluid particles further enhancecooling of the portions of the exploded water particle 101. Apressure-wave is generated from this explosion. This pressure-wave, andthe portions of the exploded water particle 101 of increased kineticenergy, are directed toward the target surface 107. The incidentportions from the original exploded water particle 101, which are nowtraveling at high velocities with high kinetic energies, and thepressure-wave, impart strong, concentrated, mechanical forces onto thetarget surface 107.

[0051] These mechanical forces cause the target surface 107 to breakapart from the material surface through a “chipping away” action. Thetarget surface 107 does not undergo vaporization, disintegration, orcharring. The chipping away process can be repeated by the presentinvention until the desired amount of material has been removed from thetarget surface 107. Unlike prior art systems, the present invention doesnot require a thin layer of fluid. In fact, it is preferred that a thinlayer of fluid does not cover the target surface, since this insulationlayer would interfere with the above-described interaction process.

[0052]FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate various types of absorptions of theelectromagnetic energy by atomized fluid particles. The nozzle 71 ispreferably configured to produce atomized sprays with a range of fluidparticle sizes narrowly distributed about a mean value. The user inputdevice for controlling cutting efficiency may comprise a simple pressureand flow rate gauge 75 (FIG. 5) or may comprise a control panel as shownin FIG. 6, for example. Upon a user input for a high resolution cut,relatively small fluid particles are generated by the nozzle 71.Relatively large fluid particles are generated for a user inputspecifying a low resolution cut. A user input specifying a deeppenetration cut causes the nozzle 71 to generate a relatively lowdensity distribution of fluid particles, and a user input specifying ashallow penetration cut causes the nozzle 71 to generate a relativelyhigh density distribution of fluid particles. If the user input devicecomprises the simple pressure and flow rate gauge 75 of FIG. 5, then arelatively low density distribution of relatively small fluid particlescan be generated in response to a user input specifying a high cuttingefficiency. Similarly, a relatively high density distribution ofrelatively large fluid particles can be generated in response to a userinput specifying a low cutting efficiency. Other variations are alsopossible.

[0053] These various parameters can be adjusted according to the type ofcut and the type of tissue. Hard tissues include tooth enamel, toothdentin, tooth cementum, bone, and cartilage. Soft tissues, which theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the present inventionis also adapted to cut, include skin, mucosa, gingiva, muscle, heart,liver, kidney, brain, eye, and vessels. Other materials may includeglass and semiconductor chip surfaces, for example. A user may alsoadjust the combination of atomized fluid particles exiting the nozzle 71to efficiently implement cooling and cleaning of the fiberoptics 23(FIG. 5), as well. According to the presently preferred embodiment, thecombination of atomized fluid particles may comprise a distribution,velocity, and mean diameter to effectively cool the fiberoptic guide 23,while simultaneously keeping the fiberoptic guide 23 clean of particulardebris which may be introduced thereon by the surgical site.

[0054] Looking again at FIG. 9, electromagnetic energy contacts eachatomized fluid particle 101 on its illuminated side 103 and penetratesthe atomized fluid particle to a certain depth. The focusedelectromagnetic energy is absorbed by the fluid, inducing explosivevaporization of the atomized fluid particle 101.

[0055] The diameters of the atomized fluid particles can be less than,almost equal to, or greater than the wavelength of the incidentelectromagnetic energy. In each of these three cases, a differentinteraction occurs between the electromagnetic energy and the atomizedfluid particle. FIG. 10 illustrates a case where the atomized fluidparticle diameter is less than the wavelength of the electromagneticenergy (d<λ). This case causes the complete volume of fluid inside ofthe fluid particle 101 to absorb the laser energy, inducing explosivevaporization. The fluid particle 101 explodes, ejecting its contentsradially. Applicants refer to this phenomena as the “explosive grenade”effect. As a result of this interaction, radial pressure-waves from theexplosion are created and projected in the direction of propagation. Thedirection of propagation is toward the target surface 107, and in thepresently preferred embodiment, both the laser energy and the atomizedfluid particles are traveling substantially in the direction ofpropagation.

[0056] The resulting portions from the explosion of the water particle101, and the pressure-wave, produce the “chipping away” effect ofcutting and removing of materials from the target surface 107. Thus,according to the “explosive grenade” effect shown in FIG. 10, the smalldiameter of the fluid particle 101 allows the laser energy to penetrateand to be absorbed violently within the entire volume of the liquid.Explosion of the fluid particle 101 can be analogized to an explodinggrenade, which radially ejects energy and shrapnel. The water content ofthe fluid particle 101 is evaporated due to the strong absorption withina small volume of liquid, and the pressure-waves created during thisprocess produce the material cutting process.

[0057]FIG. 11 shows a case where the fluid particle 101 has a diameter,which is approximately equal to the wavelength of the electromagneticenergy (d=λ). According to this “explosive ejection” effect, the laserenergy travels through the fluid particle 101 before becoming absorbedby the fluid therein. Once absorbed, the fluid particle's shaded sideheats up, and explosive vaporization occurs. In this case, internalparticle fluid is violently ejected through the fluid particle's shadedside, and moves rapidly with the explosive pressure-wave toward thetarget surface. As shown in FIG. 11, the laser energy is able topenetrate the fluid particle 101 and to be absorbed within a depth closeto the size of the particle's diameter. The center of explosivevaporization in the case shown in FIG. 11 is closer to the shaded side105 of the moving fluid particle 101. According to this “explosiveejection” effect shown in FIG. 11, the vaporized fluid is violentlyejected through the particle's shaded side toward the target surface107.

[0058] A third case shown in FIG. 12 is the “explosive propulsion”effect. In this case, the diameter of the fluid particle is larger thanthe wavelength of the electromagnetic energy (d>λ). In this case, thelaser energy penetrates the fluid particle 101 only a small distancethrough the illuminated surface 103 and causes this illuminated surface103 to vaporize. The vaporization of the illuminated surface 103 tendsto propel the remaining portion of the fluid particle 101 toward thetargeted material surface 107. Thus, a portion of the mass of theinitial fluid particle 101 is converted into kinetic energy, to therebypropel the remaining portion of the fluid particle 101 toward the targetsurface with a high kinetic energy. This high kinetic energy is additiveto the initial kinetic energy of the fluid particle 101. The effectsshown in FIG. 12 can be visualized as a micro-hydro rocket with a jettail, which helps propel the particle with high velocity toward thetarget surface 107. The exploding vapor on the illuminated side 103 thussupplements the particle's initial forward velocity.

[0059] The combination of FIGS. 10-12 is shown in FIG. 13. The nozzle 71produces the combination of atomized fluid particles which aretransported into the interaction zone 59. The laser 51 is focused onthis interaction zone 59. Relatively small fluid particles 131 explodevia the “grenade” effect, and relatively large fluid particles 133explode via the “explosive propulsion” effect. Medium sized fluidparticles, having diameters approximately equal to the wavelength of thelaser 51 and shown by the reference number 135, explode via the“explosive ejection” effect. The resulting pressure-waves 137 andexploded fluid particles 139 impinge upon the target surface 107.

[0060]FIG. 14 illustrates the clean, high resolution cut produced by theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter of the present invention.Unlike the cut of the prior art shown in FIG. 15, the cut of the presentinvention is clean and precise. Among other advantages, this cutprovides an ideal bonding surface, is accurate, and does not stressremaining materials surrounding the cut.

[0061] Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been shownand described, many changes, modifications and substitutions may be madeby one having ordinary skill in the art without necessarily departingfrom the spirit and scope of this invention.

1. An apparatus for controlling a cutting efficiency of anelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter, comprising: (a) anelectromagnetic energy source for focusing electromagnetic energy into avolume of air adjacent to a target surface; (b) a user input device forspecifying one of a high resolution cut and a low resolution cut, andfor specifying one of a deep-penetration cut and a shallow-penetrationcut; and (c) an atomizer responsive to the user input device forgenerating a combination of atomized fluid particles, and for placingthe user-specified combination of atomized fluid particles into thevolume of air adjacent to the target surface, the atomizer generating:(1) a combination of atomized fluid particles comprising relativelysmall fluid particles, in response to a user input specifying a highresolution cut; (2) a combination of atomized fluid particles comprisingrelatively large fluid particles, in response to a user input specifyinga low resolution cut; (3) a combination of atomized fluid particlescomprising a relatively low-density distribution of fluid particles, inresponse to a user input specifying a deep-penetration cut; and (4) acombination of atomized fluid particles which comprises a relativelyhigh-density distribution of fluid particles, in response to a userinput specifying a shallow-penetration cut, wherein the focusedelectromagnetic energy from the electromagnetic energy source has awavelength which is substantially absorbed by the atomized fluidparticles in the volume of air adjacent to the target surface, andwherein the absorption of the focused electromagnetic energy by theatomized fluid particles causes the atomized fluid particles to explodeand impart mechanical cutting forces onto the target surface.
 2. Theapparatus for controlling a cutting efficiency of an electromagneticallyinduced mechanical cutter according to claim 1, wherein the user inputdevice comprises a single input for controlling the cutting efficiency.3. The apparatus for controlling a cutting efficiency of anelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter according to claim 2,wherein the user input device generates a relatively low-densitydistribution of relatively small fluid particles when the single inputspecifies a high cutting efficiency.
 4. The apparatus for controlling acutting efficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutteraccording to claim 3, wherein the user input device generates arelatively high-density distribution of relatively large fluid particleswhen the single input specifies a low cutting efficiency.
 5. Theapparatus for controlling a cutting efficiency of an electromagneticallyinduced mechanical cutter according to claim 4, wherein each of therelatively small fluid particles has a fluid-particle diameter, andwherein a mean fluid-particle diameter of the fluid-particle diametersof the relatively small fluid particles is less than the wavelength ofthe electromagnetic energy focused into the volume of air adjacent tothe target surface.
 6. The apparatus for controlling a cuttingefficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter accordingto claim 4, wherein each of the relatively large fluid particles has afluid-particle diameter, and wherein a mean fluid-particle diameter ofthe fluid-particle diameters of the relatively large fluid particles isgreater than the wavelength of the electromagnetic energy focused intothe volume of air adjacent to the target surface.
 7. The apparatus forcontrolling a cutting efficiency of an electromagnetically inducedmechanical cutter according to claim 1, wherein the target surfacecomprises cartilage.
 8. The apparatus for controlling a cuttingefficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter accordingto claim 1, wherein the target surface comprises a bone.
 9. Theapparatus for controlling a cutting efficiency of an electromagneticallyinduced mechanical cutter according to claim 8, wherein the targetsurface comprises a tooth.
 10. The apparatus for controlling a cuttingefficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter accordingto claim 1, wherein the target surface comprises glass.
 11. Theapparatus for controlling a cutting efficiency of an electromagneticallyinduced mechanical cutter according to claim 1, wherein the targetsurface comprises a semiconductor chip surface.
 12. Anelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter for removing portions of atarget surface, comprising: a user input device for inputting auser-selected combination of atomized fluid particles, the user-selectedcombination of atomized fluid particles corresponding to a user-selectedaverage size, spatial distribution, and velocity of atomized fluidparticles; an atomizer, responsive to the user input device, forgenerating the user-specified combination of atomized fluid particles,and for placing the user-specified combination of atomized fluidparticles into an interaction zone, the interaction zone being definedas a volume above the target surface; and an electromagnetic energysource for focusing electromagnetic energy into the interaction zone,the electromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantiallyabsorbed by a portion of atomized fluid particles of the user-specifiedcombination of atomized fluid particles in the interaction zone, theabsorption of the electromagnetic energy by the portion of atomizedfluid particles causing the portion of atomized fluid particles toexplode and impart mechanical cutting forces onto the target surface.13. The electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter for removingportions of a target surface according to claim 12, wherein the fluidcomprises water, and wherein the electromagnetic energy source is anerbium, chromium, yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) solidstate laser, which generates light having a wavelength in a range of2.70 to 2.80 microns.
 14. The electromagnetically induced mechanicalcutter for removing portions of a target surface according to claim 12,wherein the fluid comprises water, and wherein the electromagneticenergy source comprises one of the following: (a) erbium, yttrium,scandium, gallium garnet (Er:YSGG) solid state laser, which generateselectromagnetic energy having a wavelength in a range of 2.70 to 2.80microns; (b) erbium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) solid statelaser, which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of2.94 microns; (c) chromium, thulium, erbium, yttrium, aluminum garnet(CTE:YAG) solid state laser, which generates electromagnetic energyhaving a wavelength of 2.69 microns; (d) erbium, yttrium orthoaluminate(Er:YALO3) solid state laser, which generates electromagnetic energyhaving a wavelength in a range of 2.71 to 2.86 microns; (e) holmium,yttrium, aluminum garnet (Ho:YAG) solid state laser, which generateselectromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 2.10 microns; (f)quadrupled neodymium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (quadrupled Nd:YAG) solidstate laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelengthof 266 nanometers; (g) argon fluoride (ArF) excimer laser, whichgenerates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 193 nanometers;(h) xenon chloride (XeCl) excimer laser, which generates electromagneticenergy having a wavelength of 308 nanometers; (i) krypton fluoride (KrF)excimer laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having awavelength of 248 nanometers; and (j) carbon dioxide (CO2), whichgenerates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength in a range of 9.0to 10.6 microns.
 15. The electromagnetically induced mechanical cutterfor removing portions of a target surface according to claim 13, whereinthe Er, Cr:YSGG solid state laser has a repetition rate greater than 1Hz, a pulse duration range between 1 picosecond and 1000 microseconds,and an energy greater than 1 milliJoule per pulse.
 16. Theelectromagnetically induced mechanical cutter for removing portions of atarget surface according to claim 13, wherein the Er, Cr:YSGG solidstate laser has a repetition rate of 20 Hz, a pulse duration of 140microseconds, and an energy between 1 and 300 milliJoules per pulse. 17.An apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface,comprising: an atomizer for placing atomized fluid particles into aninteraction zone, the interaction zone being defined as a volume abovethe target surface; and an electromagnetic energy source for focusingelectromagnetic energy into the interaction zone, the electromagneticenergy having a wavelength which is substantially absorbed by theatomized fluid particles in the interaction zone, the absorption of theelectromagnetic energy by the atomized fluid particles causing theatomized fluid particles to explode and impart the mechanical forcesonto the target surface.
 18. The apparatus for imparting mechanicalforces onto a target surface according to claim 17, wherein the energyis delivered through a fiberoptic, and wherein the atomized fluidparticles contact the fiberoptic to thereby cool and clean thefiberoptic.
 19. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto atarget surface according to claim 18, wherein the atomized fluidparticles contact the fiberoptic to thereby remove particulate debrisfrom the fiberoptic.
 20. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forcesonto a target surface according to claim 18, wherein the fiberopticcomprises sapphire.
 21. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forcesonto a target surface according to claim 17, wherein the electromagneticenergy source is an erbium, chromium, yttrium scandium gallium garnet(Er, Cr:YSGG) solid state laser, which generates electromagnetic energyhaving a wavelength of approximately 2.78 microns.
 22. The apparatus forimparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 17wherein the fluid particles comprise water, and wherein theelectromagnetic energy source is an erbium, chromium, yttrium, scandium,gallium garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) solid state laser, which generateselectromagnetic energy having a wavelength in a range of 2.70 to 2.80microns.
 23. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a targetsurface according to claim 22, wherein the Er, Cr:YSGG solid state laserhas a repetition rate greater than 1 Hz, a pulse duration range between1 picosecond and 1000 microseconds, and an energy greater than 10milliJoules per pulse.
 24. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forcesonto a target surface according to claim 17, wherein the fluid compriseswater, and wherein the electromagnetic energy source comprises one ofthe following: (a) erbium, yttrium, scandium, gallium garnet (Er:YSGG)solid state laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having awavelength in a range of 2.70 to 2.80 microns; (b) erbium, yttrium,aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) solid state laser, which generateselectromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 2.94 microns; (c)chromium, thulium, erbium, yttrium, aluminum garnet (CTE:YAG) solidstate laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelengthof 2.69 microns; (d) erbium, yttrium orthoaluminate (Er:YALO3) solidstate laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelengthin a range of 2.71 to 2.86 microns; (e) holmium, yttrium, aluminumgarnet (Ho:YAG) solid state laser, which generates electromagneticenergy having a wavelength of 2.10 microns; (f) quadrupled neodymium,yttrium, aluminum garnet (quadrupled Nd:YAG) solid state laser, whichgenerates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 266 nanometers;(g) argon fluoride (ArF) excimer laser, which generates electromagneticenergy having a wavelength of 193 nanometers; (h) xenon chloride (XeCl)excimer laser, which generates electromagnetic energy having awavelength of 308 nanometers; (i) krypton fluoride (KrF) excimer laser,which generates electromagnetic energy having a wavelength of 248nanometers; and (j) carbon dioxide (CO2), which generateselectromagnetic energy having a wavelength in a range of 9.0 to 10.6microns.
 25. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a targetsurface according to claim 17, wherein the target surface comprises ahard tissue.
 26. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto atarget surface according to claim 25, wherein the hard tissue comprisesone of tooth enamel, tooth dentin, tooth cementum, bone, and cartilage.27. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surfaceaccording to claim 17, wherein the target surface comprises a softtissue.
 28. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a targetsurface according to claim 22, wherein the soft tissue comprises one ofskin, mucosa, gingiva, muscle, heart, liver, kidney, brain, eye, andvessels.
 29. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a targetsurface according to claim 17, wherein the target surface comprisesglass.
 30. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a targetsurface according to claim 17, wherein the target surface comprises asemiconductor chip surface.
 31. The apparatus for imparting mechanicalforces onto a target surface according to claim 17, further comprisingan input device for accepting a user input.
 32. The apparatus forimparting mechanical forces onto a target surface according to claim 31,wherein the user input specifies a cutting efficiency of the apparatus.33. The apparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surfaceaccording to claim 32, wherein at least one physical characteristic ofthe atomized fluid particles is controlled by the user input.
 34. Theapparatus for imparting mechanical forces onto a target surfaceaccording to claim 33, wherein the at least one physical characteristicof the atomized fluid particles includes at least one of an averagefluid particle size, spatial distribution, and velocity.
 35. Anapparatus for controlling a cutting efficiency of an electromagneticallyinduced mechanical cutter, comprising: an electromagnetic energy sourcefor focusing electromagnetic energy into a volume adjacent to a targetsurface; a specification input for specifying at least one of a cuttingresolution and a penetration level for the cutting efficiency; means forselecting one of a plurality of fluid spray nozzles, in response to auser specification of the cutting resolution; means for selecting anupstream fluid pressure for the selected fluid spray nozzle, in responseto a user specification of the penetration level; and an atomizer forapplying the upstream fluid pressure to the fluid spray nozzle, tothereby generate a user-specified combination of atomized fluidparticles, the atomizer placing the user-specified combination ofatomized fluid particles into the volume adjacent to the target surface,the focused electromagnetic energy being substantially absorbed by theuser-specified combination of atomized fluid particles, theuser-specified combination of atomized fluid particles, upon absorbingthe electromagnetic energy, exploding and imparting mechanical cuttingforces onto the target surface.
 36. The apparatus for controlling acutting efficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutteraccording to claim 35, wherein the specification input comprises: afirst user input for specifying a level of resolution for the cuttingefficiency, the level of resolution including one of a high resolutioncut and a low resolution cut; and a second user input for specifying alevel of penetration for the cutting efficiency, the level ofpenetration including one of a deep-penetration cut and ashallow-penetration cut.
 37. The apparatus for controlling a cuttingefficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter accordingto claim 36, wherein the atomizer generates a combination of atomizedfluid particles comprising relatively small fluid particles, in responseto the first user input specifying a high resolution cut, wherein theatomizer generates a combination of atomized fluid particles comprisingrelatively large fluid particles, in response to the first user inputspecifying a low resolution cut, wherein the atomizer generates acombination of atomized fluid particles which comprises a relativelylow-density distribution of fluid particles, in response to the seconduser input specifying a deep-penetration cut, and wherein the atomizergenerates a combination of atomized fluid particles which comprises arelatively high-density distribution of fluid particles, in response tothe second user input specifying a shallow-penetration cut.
 38. A methodof controlling a cutting efficiency of an electromagnetically inducedmechanical cutter, comprising the following steps: focusingelectromagnetic energy into a volume adjacent to a target surface;specifying at least one of a cutting resolution and a penetration levelfor the cutting efficiency; selecting one of a plurality of fluid spraynozzles, in response to a specification of the cutting resolution;selecting an upstream fluid pressure for the selected fluid spraynozzle, in response to a specification of the penetration level;applying the upstream fluid pressure to the fluid spray nozzle, tothereby generate a user-specified combination of atomized fluidparticles; and placing the user-specified combination of atomized fluidparticles into the volume adjacent to the target surface, the focusedelectromagnetic energy being substantially absorbed by theuser-specified combination of atomized fluid particles, theuser-specified combination of atomized fluid particles, upon absorbingthe electromagnetic energy, exploding and imparting mechanical cuttingforces onto the target surface.
 39. The method of controlling a cuttingefficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter accordingto claim 38, the step of specifying at least one of a cutting resolutionand a penetration level for the cutting efficiency further comprisingthe following steps: specifying, via a user input, one of a highresolution cut and a low resolution cut; and specifying, via a userinput, one of a deep-penetration cut and a shallow-penetration cut. 40.The method of controlling a cutting efficiency of an electromagneticallyinduced mechanical cutter according to claim 39, wherein the step ofapplying the upstream fluid pressure to the fluid spray nozzle comprisesthe following substeps: generating a combination of atomized fluidparticles comprising relatively small fluid particles, in response to auser input specifying a high resolution cut; generating a combination ofatomized fluid particles comprising relatively large fluid particles, inresponse to a user input specifying a low resolution cut; generating acombination of atomized fluid particles which comprises a relativelylow-density distribution of fluid particles, in response to a user inputspecifying a deep-penetration cut; and generating a combination ofatomized fluid particles which comprises a relatively high-densitydistribution of fluid particles, in response to a user input specifyinga shallow-penetration cut.
 41. The apparatus for controlling a cuttingefficiency of an electromagnetically induced mechanical cutter accordingto claim 40, wherein the step of applying the upstream fluid pressure tothe fluid spray nozzle further comprises the following substeps:generating atomized fluid particles with relatively high kineticenergies, in response to at least one of a user specification for adeep-penetration cut and a user specification for high resolution cut;and generating atomized fluid particles with relatively low kineticenergies, in response to at least one of a user specification for ashallow-penetration cut and a user specification for low resolution cut.42. A method of providing electromagnetically induced mechanical cuttingforces onto a target surface to thereby remove portions of the targetsurface, comprising the following steps: inputting a user-specifiedcombination of atomized fluid particles, the user-specified combinationof atomized fluid particles corresponding to a user-specified averagesize, spatial distribution, and velocity of atomized fluid particles;generating the user-specified combination of atomized fluid particles,in response to the user input device; placing the user-specifiedcombination of atomized fluid particles into an interaction zone, theinteraction zone being defined as a volume above the target surface; andfocusing electromagnetic energy into the interaction zone, theelectromagnetic energy having a wavelength which is substantiallyabsorbed by a portion of atomized fluid particles of the user-specifiedcombination of atomized fluid particles in the interaction zone, theabsorption of the electromagnetic energy by the portion of atomizedfluid particles causing the portion of atomized fluid particles toexplode and impart mechanical cutting forces onto the target surface.43. A method of mechanically removing portions of a target surface,comprising the following steps: placing atomized fluid particles into aninteraction zone above the target surface; focusing electromagneticenergy onto the atomized fluid particles in the interaction zone; andexploding the atomized fluid particles in the interaction zone, theexplosions of the atomized fluid particles imparting mechanical forcesonto the target surface to thereby remove the portions of the targetsurface.
 44. The method of mechanically removing portions of a targetsurface according to claim 43, wherein the step of placing atomizedfluid particles into the interaction zone above the target surfaceincludes a substep of placing atomized water particles into theinteraction zone above the target surface.
 45. The method ofmechanically removing portions of a target surface according to claim44, wherein the step of focusing electromagnetic energy onto theatomized fluid particles in the interaction zone comprises a substep offocusing electromagnetic energy from an erbium, chromium, yttriumscandium gallium garnet (Er, Cr:YSGG) solid state laser, which generateselectromagnetic energy having a wavelength of approximately 2.78microns, onto the atomized water particles in the interaction zone. 46.The method of mechanically removing portions of a target surfaceaccording to claim 43, wherein the target surface comprises a tooth. 47.A method of imparting mechanical forces onto a target surface,comprising the following steps: generating a fluid particle; placing thefluid particle into an interaction zone, the interaction zone defining avolume of space adjacent to the target surface; introducingelectromagnetic energy into the interaction zone; exploding the fluidparticle to impart the mechanical forces onto the target surface. 48.The method of imparting mechanical forces onto a target surfaceaccording to claim 47, wherein the electromagnetic energy has awavelength which is substantially absorbed by the fluid particle, andwherein a curvature of an outer surface of the fluid particle focusesthe electromagnetic energy into an inner portion of the fluid particleto thereby cause an expansion of fluid in the inner portion of the fluidparticle.
 49. An optical cutter for dental use, comprising: a housinghaving a lower portion, an upper portion, and an interfacing portion; afirst fiber optic tube for carrying laser energy through the housing tothe upper portion of the housing; a first abutting member fitting aroundthe first fiber optic tube at the upper portion of the housing; a secondfiber optic tube having a proximal end and a distal end; a secondabutting member surrounding the second fiber optic tube at the proximalend and contacting the interfacing portion of the housing; and afocusing optic positioned between the first abutting member and thesecond abutting member, the focusing optic focusing laser energy as thelaser energy passes from the first fiber optic to the second fiber opticto thereby reduce dissipation of laser energy between the fist fiberoptic and the second fiber optic.
 50. The optical cutter for dental useaccording to claim 49, further comprising a cap having an input portionand an output portion, the cap fitting over the interfacing portion ofthe housing.
 51. The optical cutter for dental use according to claim49, wherein the distal end of the second fiberoptic tube comprisessapphire.
 52. The optical cutter for dental use according to claim 49,wherein the first fiberoptic tube comprises a trunk fiberoptic, whichcomprises one of calcium fluoride (CaF), calcium oxide (CaO2), zirconiumoxide (ZrO2), zirconium fluoride (ZrF), sapphire, hollow waveguide,liquid core, TeX glass, quartz silica, germanium sulfide, arsenicsulfide, and germanium oxide (GeO2).